MINEXPO PREVIEW
by mining operations , offering a holistic approach to lubrication and maintenance .
In addition , the Bel-Ray brand ’ s Total Lubricant Partnership ( TLP ) helps mining operations choose the best solutions for the mine with a custom-fit approach that includes : n Lubrication management services ; n Lubrication system inspections ; n Consumption evaluations ; n Routine oil analysis ; and n Component inspection / failure analysis .
Ventilation and more
Howden ’ s transition into the wider Chart Industries offering is allowing it to branch into new territory ; territory that it will be showcasing in Las Vegas .
For over a century , Howden has supplied underground ventilation fans to every major global mining company . Today , its fully integrated ventilation air quality control approach can , it says , dramatically reduce energy usage by 50 %.
Chart Industries , which Howden is now a part of following its acquisition in March 2023 , says it is a leading global solutions provider to clean energy and industrial gas markets across the Nexus of Clean™ – clean power , clean water , clean food and clean industrials .
The combination between Chart and Howden is broadening business , according to Leo Botha , Director of Global Mining Sales at Chart .
“ At Howden , we have traditionally focused on the underground mining sector , whereas Chart Industries has significant exposure to the surface mining industry ,” he told IM .
The legacy Howden business supplies a variety of fans – main , booster and auxiliary fans – that provide versatility , economic advantages for efficiency and maintenance , low noise and outstanding aerodynamic performance . It combines this with mine cooling and mine heating systems to ensure the optimal solution for each mine site . Underpinning this is the Ventsim ® platform . Ventsim DESIGN enables the 3D design , modelling and simulation of underground mine and tunnel ventilation systems with controls for safe and efficient operations . It originated as mining management software in 1993 and , today , ensures operations within mines and tunnels are safe and efficient through a suite of solutions .
Ventsim CONTROL is designed to reduce energy consumption , associated costs and improve energy efficiency in underground mining ventilation systems , supporting customers ’ netzero goals . The software suite uses advanced algorithms to analyse real-time data and adjust ventilation equipment to maximise energy savings while maintaining safe working conditions .
“ We continue to enhance Ventsim capabilities and leverage advancement in technologies like AI ,” Chart says . “ We ’ re furthering our energy management and control tool kit and implementing a carbon calculator , building on the energy dashboards we have in place to visualise energy consumption , energy savings and , more recently , carbon emissions .”
The company can also highlight LNG and hydrogen storage , system , transport and fuelling options .
Chart provides LNG energy storage and fuel delivery solutions for natural gas power generation , on-board LNG fuel tanks for mine haul trucks and service vehicles , and related fuel station equipment . It now also offers the exact same solutions for energy and power generation using gaseous or liquid hydrogen with its onboard LH2 vehicle fuel tanks and fuel stations , LH2 storage tanks and vaporisers , H2 compressors and related supply chain equipment .
Botha says some of the early conversations with customers have already gone into specifics on how they can access some of these hydrogen solutions at their sites .
“ Chart , which has a remit of ‘ cleaning up ’ the industries it works in , has hydrogen and LNG storage solutions that could allow these mines to reduce their carbon dioxide emissions drastically ,” he said . “ We ’ re now just looking to align on whether that may be hybrid solutions involving diesel and H2 / LNG , or a single energy source .
“ These solutions aren ’ t likely to be integrated at mine sites tomorrow , but they are commercially-available in other sectors and , in some instances , present a strong mining business case .”
In the field of carbon capture , utilisation and storage , Chart has significant knowledge of and solutions for the processes and challenges of energy-intensive , hard-to-abate industries such as mining and mineral processing .
Lastly , Chart ’ s water business , ChartWater™ , can offer the most efficient , cost-effective , environmental solutions for contaminant removal , including antimony and arsenic , oxygenation for remediation of rivers / lakes / reservoirs , aerobic biological processes , pH control for mineral acid replacement , enhanced metal flotation and remineralisation , the company says .
Botha continued : “ We look forward to continuing to offer our customers different
For over a century , Howden has supplied ventilation fans to every major global mining company
commercial solutions and increased functionality . This , for instance , includes leasing and rental options – options that Howden customers have not previously had before becoming a part of Chart .”
Software , digital and training
Mining is more complex than ever , yet it is filled with greater opportunities than ever before , according to Emerson .
Leading challenges include the need to decarbonise , alleviate – as much as possible – climate risks , obtain and retain their licence to operate , confront the skills shortage and tackle rising operating costs .
Emerson estimates $ 425 billion of value is on the table for the mining industry and its customers over the next decade due to digital transformation .
“ As new mines are built and existing ones are upgraded , collaboration with the right technology partner will be key to design with sustainability in mind ,” it says . “ The right automation infrastructure will be the precursor to achieving return on investment from digital transformation .”
To realise these and other benefits , mining operators must unlock mining data to achieve enterprise excellence , according to Emerson , adding that it is now possible to manage , connect and deliver operational technology and information technology data easily across the enterprise , from the intelligent field devices to the edge and cloud .
Automation and contextual data can make mining less dangerous in these two and other areas , the company says .
Safer tailings dams , for instance , reduce the overall risk in mining operations . Existing tailings infrastructure often exceeds design constraints due to higher volumes of waste caused by declining ore grades . This issue is compounded by a lack of proper monitoring .
Emerson ’ s Dams Monitoring system is , the company says , a complete autonomous system free of cables that measures underground water
44 International Mining | AUGUST 2024